Ryan, I don't ramble anymore. Although I do like that song Ramblin' Man by the Allman Brothers. At first I thought they were the Almond Brothers, which is great, since I like nuts, except for filberts, which is odd because I love Dilbert, because when you spend all day in a cubicle, you just gotta dance!

TerminalEchoes:Was it really because of Ellen? Or was it because people were shamed, mocked, and publicly humiliated until they were compelled to accept a lifestyle they didn't understand? Just asking.

Benevolent Misanthrope:Not to minimize the brave people who were out pre-Stonewall, or before the Regan years, or even in my generation

Well of course not... without them forcing people to acknowledge gays really existed, it would be hard for anyone to "come out", let alone a celebrity.

Frankly, as a privileged straight guy with an anti-authoritarian streak, the story of Stonewall is one that I just LOVE: people viewed as a sad joke at best by society stood up and said "I will not be shiat on any more!". And the world became a slightly better place for everyone, including me.

You mean America discovering the lesbians weren't man hating monsters who wanted to bathe in the blood of virgins and convert their daughters to their wicked ways was a positive influence?

I, for one, am shocked.

Here's the thing: you know what homosexuals want? To have a life. To find someone they want to be with. To have a decent career. To be with friends and family. Maybe raise a dog. Join an amateur league. Bake some pies. Laugh. Goof off. Maybe even raise some kids one day. Maybe not. They want the exact same things you want. Including occasionally going to some risque club for some naughty dancing and get silly with their friends. To even maybe attend their local church. Maybe even join Rotary. Wash their cars on Sunday. Walk the dogs maybe in the park. Smooch their sweeties and canoodle at the point. They want the same damn things as everyone else. The only difference is that some folks get themselves all in a tizzy because they are "different."

Ellen showed folks that lesbians weren't scary or domineering or plotting to take over the world. Cripes, look at her wardrobe, does THAT look like anyone even a quarter as intimidating as say Martha Stewart? She came out, and folks realized, "Hey, she's pretty normal, and kinda funny and self deprecating, and her girlfriend is cute, and they seem happy." And that's pretty much what homosexuals want: to be normal. Nothing more. No special rights. Nothing more than to be normal. Just live their lives, and maybe have some laughs and some drinks, and point at the shenanigans of some folks who they think are funny, and to pick up friends when they fall down, and cuddle up with their sweetie, or have some hot monkey lovin' in the afternoon, but just like everyone else.